Melton South withstands epic comeback from Bacchus Marsh for upset win

Melton South walks away with a critical four points and some important lessons after holding off an epic Bacchus Marsh comeback.

Hearts were in mouths as Melton South hung on for a nerve-racking one-point win over Bacchus Marsh on Saturday.

Trailing for much of the day and six goals down half way through the final quarter at Maddingley Oval the Cobras charged home to very nearly snatch victory.

A goal with a minute remaining narrowed the margin to a single point but South held firm under immense pressure.

The Panthers survived 15.8 (98) to 15.7 (97) to claim a critical four points and take away some important lessons.

Just one game separates second and seventh with Melton South another game back in a tight Ballarat Football League season.

William Thornton-Gielen in action for Melton South. Picture: Hamish Blair

Coach Heath Pritchard said the win was reward for a month of good football.

“Darley got us when Nick Rodda kicked eight goals, we beat Sunbury which was great and last week East Point got us but 33 scoring shots to 29 shows it was closer than the scoreboard showed,” he said.

“For three and a half quarters we were brilliant and then there was a bit of learning for us in the last 15 minutes of the game.

“They came home with a wet sail and started winning contested footy and winning stoppages and we had to hold on in the end but being that far in front makes it hard to be run over the top of.

“For our young group, if we get our time again then how do we play that last 15 minutes? There’s a bit of learning from it and the four points.

“In that situation it’s who holds their nerve and in that sort of situation there’s not a lot you can do from the coaches box.”

Dylan Jones was a standout in the ruck for Melton South, named the Panthers’ best player.

Without spearhead Dylan Conway, Will Thornton-Gielen popped up with five goals, while his brother Jacob was a wall in defence.

Cody Chapman, John Kovarik and Brody Sullivan also impressed in a win Pritchard labelled the “most complete performance from 22 guys”.

Pritchard heaped praise on his bookends and was particularly pleased with kicking a winning score without Conway.

“Will and Jacob have played all their life at Melton South, stuck fat through some tough times and they’re both vice-captains of the team,” he said.

“We didn’t have Dylan Conway and Will stood up and kicked five goals, which is fantastic, and Jake is just as tough as nails.

“It’s pleasing for us to say we’re not a one-dimensional team, we can win games without some of our stars.

“Without Dylan Conway was kicked 15 goals and showed we’ve got more than one avenue to goal, which is great for our confidence.”

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Late casualties Shaun White (ankle) and Sam Hurst (corkie) will face fitness tests ahead of Saturday’s clash against Sebastopol.

Jack Williams, Max Eastmure and coach Tom German were Bacchus Marsh’s best in defeat as Rex Hickman booted four goals.

The Cobras will hope to bounce back when they travel to East Point.

In other results, East Point (112) defeated Ballarat (80), Melton (121) had a strong win over North Ballarat (53), Darley (133) was too strong for Redan (78) and Sunbury (100) got it’s first win of the season over Lake Wendouree (59).